Golf practice apparatus

ABSTRACT

Golf practice apparatus for use in improving the golfing techniques of a golfer is disclosed. The apparatus includes luminescent material, preferably disposed on a decal secured to the head of a golf club, and a practice mat having luminescent material disposed thereon either in the form of a decal or imprinted thereon. The luminescent material on the club head permits visual observation of the movement of the club head during the execution of a swing of the golf club and the luminescent material on the base mat provides an indication of the desired path of travel over which the club head should travel when the golfer executes a correct swing. The luminescent material, preferably emits radiation in the visible range of the spectrum when ultra-violet radiation is impinged thereon and an ultra-violet lamp is provided for producing ultra-violet radiation for impingement on the material such that visual observation of the material can be had in an environment substantially devoid of light whereby a user of the apparatus can concentrate on the arc of his swing and correct any tendency on his part to swing the golf club in a path other than the desired path. The luminescent material may be characterized by a pair of parallel strips extending longitudinally on opposite sides of a putting target which lines are spaced apart by the length of a putter head, parallel cross strips therebetween, as well as by a cross strip as a heel position marker to improve the golfer&#39;&#39;s stance. The luminescent material may also be applied to the toe portions of a golfer&#39;&#39;s shoes as well as his glove or gloves. The luminescent material may be applied as pressure-sensitive adhesive.

United States Patent Worrell [45] Mar. 14, 1972 [54] GOLF PRACTICEAPPARATUS Eugene N. Worrell, 1511 Clinton Road, Glenshaw, Pa. 15116 [22]Filed: July 9,1969

[21] Appl.No.: 840,178

[72] Inventor:

[51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/36 [58] Field of Search ..273/l83,l86,195,196,197, 273/198, 56, 193 B, 163, 194 A; 250/71; 35/29 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,223,849 12/1940 Fogler et a1. ..35/29 A X2,467,661 4/1949 De Ment ..250/71 3,105,954 10/1963 Gill ..250/71 X3,311,377 3/1967 Holbus... ...273/195 X 280,807 7/1883 Farley ..273/562,158,211 5/1939 Aitken.... ...273/l93 B X 2,865,635 12/1958 Jessen...273/163 R X 3,360,268 12/1967 Molinari ..273/ 194 A X OTHERPUBLICATIONS Product Engineering," July, 1947, pages 144- 149 PrimaryExaminer-George J. Marlo Attorney-Brown, Murray, Flick & PeckhamLUM/NESCENT 20 MATERIAL o/v Iowa's/v5 BACK/N6 40 l8 I6 26 r" L 1' I h nHao H 30 H40 30 {'30 I l l ABSTRACT Golf practice apparatus for use inimproving the golfing techniques of a golfer is disclosed. The apparatusincludes luminescent material, preferably disposed on a decal secured tothe head of a golf club, and a practice mat having luminescent materialdisposed thereon either in the form of a decal or imprinted thereon. Theluminescent material on the club head pennits visual observation of themovement of the club head during the execution of a swing of the golfclub and the luminescent material on the base mat provides an indicationof the desired path of travel over which the club head should travelwhen the golfer executes a correct swing. The luminescent material,preferably emits radiation in the visible range of the spectrum whenultra-violet radiation is impinged thereon and an ultra-violet lamp isprovided for producing ultra-violet radiation for impingement on thematerial such that visual observation of the material can be had in anenvironment substantially devoid of light whereby a user of theapparatus can concentrate on the arc of his swing and correct anytendency on his part to swing the golf club in a path other than thedesired path. The luminescent material may be characterized by a pair ofparallel strips extending longitudinally on opposite sides of a puttingtarget which lines are spaced apart by the length of a putter head,parallel cross strips therebetween, as well as by a cross strip as aheel position marker to improve the golfer's stance. The luminescentmaterial may also be applied to the toe portions of a golfers shoes aswell as his glove or gloves. The luminescent material may be applied aspressure-sensitive adhesive.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures UL TRA VIOLET L/GHT GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to golf practiceapparatus which will indicate visually, mainly to the user of theapparatus but also to an observer or teacher, whether or not histechnique or stroke with any of the various golf clubs used by golfersis corrector proper.

Various types of swing indicators have been provided in the prior art toattempt to aid a golfer in correcting or improving his stroke either inthe form of special golf clubs or as attachments for standard golfclubs. As an example of the latter type swing indicator, see the US.Pat. No. 3,070,373 which describes a lamp secured to a standard golfclub that provides a visual indication of the nature of the swing of agolfer to him or an instructor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention provides incombination with a golf club having a shaft with a head on its lowerend, luminescent means associated with the head of the golf club forpermitting visual observation of the movement of the club head duringthe execution of a swing of the golf club. Preferably, the luminescentmeans comprises a decal having a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing forsecuring it to the club head. While the top surface of the decal may beof any very bright color which will enhance visual observation thereofin ordinary lighting, the top surface of the decal preferably includes alight-emitting substance adapted to emit radiation in the visible rangeof the spectrum when ultraviolet light is impinged thereon. Inaccordance with the invention, a means is provided for producingultraviolet radiation for impringement upon the top surface of the decalsuch that visual observation of the movement of the club during theexecution of a swing of the golf club can be had in an environmentsubstantially devoid of light.

Also, the invention provides a second luminescent means for use inassociation with a golf club, as above described, and the surface of agolf practice area to substantially define a desired path of travel overwhich the head of the golf club should move as the club head approachesa ball hitting point during the execution of a correct swing of the golfclub.

As will become evident hereinafter, the apparatus provided by thepresent invention is useful in improving the techniques of a golfer withrespect to his stance and both his putting and driving. Other featuresand advantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings whichform a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a diagrammatic viewillustrating apparatus in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the base mat shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,there is partially shown in FIG. I the legs of a golfer and the lowerportion of a partially shown golf club 10. It is to be understood thatthe club 10 is being held by the golfer by the handle portion adjacentthe upper end of the shaft 12. The golfer is standing on a groundsupported, practice base mat partially shown at 14.

In accordance with the invention, the club head 16 is provided on itsupper surface with luminescent material 18. The material 18 may beprovided on the club head as an inset containing the luminescentmaterial or may be a coating on the club head 16, however, it ispreferred that the material be disposed on the upper surface of a vinylor paper decal provided with an adhesive backing for securing it to theclub head 16. The term luminescent as used herein is to be taken in itsbroadest sense as meaning adapted for the production of luminescence orany emission of light not ascribable directly to incandescence. Further,it includes light-emitting substances or materials such as fluorescentor phosphorescent metallic salts which emit radiation in the visibleportion of the spectrum when ultraviolet radiation is impinged thereon.The shoes 20 of the golfer are also provided with luminescent material22 adjacent the toe portions thereof. The material 22 likewise may be acoating on the shoes 20 but preferably also comprise vinyl or paperdecals similar to the decal on the club 10.

Disposed on the upper surface of the base mat 14 isa diagram or gridpattern of luminescent material shown generally at 24. Preferably, thebase mat 14 is formed of a longitudinally extending section of clearplastic material with the luminescent pattern 24 imprinted thereon,however, the illustrated pattern may also be constructed of a single ora plurality of decals, as described above, secured to the mat 14 or anyother golf practice area aside from the mat 14, such as a carpet ordirectly to the ground.

The pattern 24 comprises a pair of parallel longitudinally extendingstrips 26 and 28 which are substantially spaced apart the length of thehead of a putter club 29 (FIG. 2). The reason for this spacing willappearhereinafter. The pattern 24 also includes a plurality of parallel,spaced-apart strips 30 extending transversely between the strips 26 and28. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the strips 30 are utilized inconjunction with the strips 26 and 28 when the golfer is practicing hisputting technique.

Also shown in FIG. I is a lamp 32. The lamp 32 provides ultravioletradiation for impingement upon the luminescent material disposed on theclub 10, the mat l4 and the shoes 20 of the golfer such that visualobservation thereof can be had in an environment substantially devoid oflight, that is, in a.dark room or other environment normally consideredto have little, if any, lighting therein.

The use of a golf ball, either of the standard or practice type, isoptional with the apparatus as thus far described, however, a ball hasbeen illustrated in the drawing in solid line at 34, which is where aball, if used, would be located in practicing driving, and in brokenlines 36 to designate a position located centrally between the strips 26and 28, which is the general location that a ball would be positionedwhen practicing putting. There is also indicated in FIG. I a marking 38which serves as a target when the apparatus is used in practicingputting and a transversely extending strip 40 which serves as a heelposition marker when the apparatus is used in practicing driving. Themarking 38, the strip 40, and the golf ball, when used, are eachpreferably provided with luminescent material in the form of a coatingor a decal of the type as above described.

Having thus described the apparatus of the invention, its use andapplication in improving the golfing techniques of a golfer will now begiven. As is known to those skilled in the art, in a properly executedswing of agolf club, the club head must follow a straight line approachto the ball hitting point, Any deviation from this straight lineapproach is the main cause of a hook or slice in driving, and the maincause of missing putts when putting.

The luminescent material provided on the golf club permits the visualobservation of the movement of the club head 16 during the execution ofa swing of the golf club both in driving and in putting.

When practicing driving or putting, the pattern 24 substan tiallydefines the desired path of travel over which the head of the golf clubshould move as the club head approaches the ball hitting point duringthe execution of a correct swing of the golf club. A more definitedescription of this path, when driving, is defined by the strip 26. Inpracticing driving, if the club head is moving in a path which arcsoutwardly or inwardly from the club user as viewed, for example, by him,and crosses the strip 26, he will be able to visually observe such acrossing. A crossing of the strip 26 which arcs inwardly toward the clubuser generally produces a slice and a crossing of the strip 26 whicharcs outwardly from the club user generally produces a hook.Accordingly, when the golfer sees a crossing of the strip 26 by the clubhead, he can attempt to correct his driving technique and the tendencyon his part to swing the golf club in a path other than the desiredpath.

A more definite description of the desired path of travel, when putting,is defined between the strips 26 and 28. As pointed out above, thespacing between the strips 26 and 28 is preferably about the length ofthe club head 29 of a putter club. in practicing putting, the golferwould attempt to swing the club such that the club head would remainbetween the strips 26 and 28 with the club face being maintainedgenerally parallel to the strips 30. Any deviation from this path wouldgenerally result in a missed putt. It will be noted, that the strips 30will also aid the golfer in gauging the length of his putting swing.

The luminescent material on the shoes of the golfer and the strip 40aids him in visually observing the position of his feet. Those skilledin the art will, of course, recognize the necessity of proper feetpositioning when executing a correct golf swing. If desired, the gloveor gloves normally worn by a golfer may also be provided withluminescent material to aid the golfer in visually observing thepositioning of his hands on the handle of the golf club.

it will be apparent from the above description, that the golf practiceapparatus provided by the invention may be used in a well lighted area,and can be also used in an environment substantially devoid of lightwith the use of the lamp 32. When used in a darkened area, only thoseportions of the apparatus having luminescent material, in accordancewith the invention, can be visually observed, thus enabling the golferto concentrate more effectively on the arc of his swing and the positionof his feet.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a golf club having a shaft with a head on itslower end and a golf practice surface, golf practice apparatuscomprising means on said golf practice surface for defining a desiredluminescent path over which said club head should travel as the headapproaches a ball-hitting point during the execution of a correct swingof the club, said luminescent means comprising at least one strip ofluminescent material extending backwardly from the ball-hitting pointalong the desired path of the club, and second luminescent means on thetop of said club head to permit visual observation of the movement ofthe head relative to said path during said swing.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said second luminescentmeans is a luminescent decal provided with pres sure-sensitive adhesivebacking securing it to the top of said club head.

3. THe combination defined in claim 1, in which said second luminescentmeans is a luminescent decal provided with pressure-sensitive adhesivebacking securing it to the top of said club head, and thefirst-mentioned luminescent means is luminescent decal means providedwith pressure-sensitive adhesive backing securing it to said golfpractice surface.

4. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said firstmentioned andsecond luminescent means include a lightemitting substance adapted toemit radiation in the visible range of the spectrum when ultravioletradiation is impinged thereon, said combination including means forproducing said ultraviolet radiation.

5. The combination defined in claim 1, including third luminescent meansadapted to be secured to the shoes of a user of said golf club to permitvisual observation of the position of his feet during said swing.

6. The-combination defined in claim 1, in which said golf practicesurface is the upper surface of a base mat adapted to be laid on asubstantially flat support.

7. The combination defined in claim 6, in which said mat is provided ata point spaced longitudinally from one end of said luminescent path witha luminescent marking for use as a target when said olf club is a utter.

8. The com ination de med in claim 6, in which said golf club is aputter, and said first-mentioned luminescent means include a pair ofparallel strips spaced apart a distance substantially equal to thelength of the club head and a plurality of cross strips extendingtransversely between said parallel strips perpendicular thereto andspaced apart lengthwise thereof.

9. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said golf club is aputter, said golf practice surface is the upper surface of a base matadapted to be laid on a substantially flat support, said first-mentionedluminescent means include a pair of parallel strips spaced apart adistance substantially equal to the length of the club head and aplurality of cross strips extending transversely between said parallelstrips perpendicular thereto and spaced apart lengthwise thereof, andsaid mat is provided at a point spaced longitudinally from one end ofsaid strips with a luminescent marking for use as a target when the userof the golfclub is practicing putting.

1. In combination with a golf club having a shaft with a head on its lower end and a golf practice surface, golf practice apparatus comprising means on said golf practice surface for defining a desired luminescent path over which said club head should travel as the head approaches a ball-hitting point during the execution of a correct swing of the club, said luminescent means comprising at least one strip of luminescent material extending backwardly from the ball-hitting point along the desired path of the club, and second luminescent means on the top of said club head to permit visual observation of the movement of the head relative to said path during said swing.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said second luminescent means is a luminescent decal provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive backing securing it to the top of said club head.
 3. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said second luminescent means is a luminescent decal provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive backing securing it to the top of said club head, and the first-mentioned luminescent means is luminescent decal means provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive backing securing it to said golf practice surface.
 4. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said first-mentioned and second luminescent means include a light-emitting substance adapted to emit radiation in the visible range of the spectrum when ultra-violet radiation is impinged thereon, said combination including means for producing said ultra-violet radiation.
 5. The combination defined in claim 1, including third luminescent means adapted to be secured to the shoes of a user of said golf club to permit visual observation of the position of his feet during said swing.
 6. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said golf practice surface is the upper surface of a base mat adapted to be laid on a substantially flat support.
 7. The combination defined in claim 6, in which said mat is provided at a point spaced longitudinally from one end of said luminescent path with a luminescent marking for use as a target when said golf club is a putter.
 8. The combination defined in claim 6, in which said golf club is a putter, and said first-mentioned luminescent means include a pair of parallel strips spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the length of the club head and a plurality of cross strips extending transversely between said parallel strips perpendicular thereto and spaced apart lengthwise thereof.
 9. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said golf club is a putter, said golf practice surface is the upper surface of a base mat adapted to be laid on a substantially flat support, said first-mentioned luminescent means include a pair of parallel strips spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the length of the club head and a plurality of cross strips extending transversely between said parallel strips perpendicular thereto and spaced apart lengthwise thereof, and said mat is provided at a point spaced longitudinally from one end of said strips with a luminescent marking for use as a target when the user of the golf club is practicing putting. 